About the Artist

Morgan Overton (born 1993, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a visual artist based in Pittsburgh. Her work is rooted in reclaiming visual narratives by illustrating the humanity that exists at the intersection of race and gender. Morgan's work honors unsung heroes across historic movements, to the heroes that exist within our everyday selves. Morgan believes the arts serves as a powerful platform to challenge the viewer to think, and therefore act differently. She vibrantly creates in various mediums as an ode to the bell hooks quote - "The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is, it’s to imagine what is possible." Morgan strives to create works of art that will not only honor the past and present, but also live on timelessly.

Morgan has been a featured artist creating unique works for notable institutions - such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates Charities, the International Free Expression Project, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.  Her work also internationally showcased in St. Paul de Vence, France, at La Maison Baldwin - honoring legendary writer, James Baldwin. 

Morgan is currently the Artist-In-Residence for the University of Pittsburgh Frederick Honors College for the 2023-24 school year. Her Residency is entitled "Democracy in Focus", elevating artmaking as a tool to raise up social issues. Morgan is also a member of Women of Visions - the longest running collective of contemporary African-American women artists in the United States. 

From the University of Pittsburgh, Morgan earned a Masters in Social Work with a focus in Community Organizing and Social Action, and a Bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Studio Art. In 2019, Morgan was inducted into the Pittsburgh Business Times' 30 under 30 Awards.


Features

2023 Pennsylvania Governor's Residence
"Emerge" (2020) was selected by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to be exhibited in the Governor's Residence.
2022 Pittsburgh Steelers Gameday Poster
For the December 11th 2022 Steelers v Ravens game, Morgan was selected to design a Gameday poster to convey the rivalry, and charity associated with the game.
2022 Pittsburgh Pirates Charities
Pittsburgh Pirates Charities held an art auction of originally designed homebase plates. Proceeds of the plate went to pillars of the Charities mission areas.
2021 There is Black Art in the Future Window Exhibit
Protect Our Future (2021) is featured on the windows of the Pitt Building, in Downtown Pittsburgh (211-213 Smithfield Street)
2020 Art of Diversity Showcase
Emerge (2020) was selected as an honorable mention in the Cultural Identity category for the University of Pittsburgh's "Art of Diversity" Showcase
2018 Showtime Network's "The Affair" - Season 4
Langston Hughes (2017) was featured in various scenes of Season 4 of Showtime Network's The Affair.
2018 Buzzfeed Article Feature
Killmonger - Black Panther (2018) was featured in a Buzzfeed article highlighting artwork inspired by Marvel's film, Black Panther (2018)
2017 Peace Project Fusion Award Winner
Baldwin (2017) was a winner for an international call for artists, and part of a traveling exhibit to amplify global humanitarian work for peace.
2023 Pennsylvania Governor's Residence
"Emerge" (2020) was selected by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to be exhibited in the Governor's Residence.
2022 Pittsburgh Steelers Gameday Poster
For the December 11th 2022 Steelers v Ravens game, Morgan was selected to design a Gameday poster to convey the rivalry, and charity associated with the game.
2022 Pittsburgh Pirates Charities
Pittsburgh Pirates Charities held an art auction of originally designed homebase plates. Proceeds of the plate went to pillars of the Charities mission areas.
2021 There is Black Art in the Future Window Exhibit
Protect Our Future (2021) is featured on the windows of the Pitt Building, in Downtown Pittsburgh (211-213 Smithfield Street)
2020 Art of Diversity Showcase
Emerge (2020) was selected as an honorable mention in the Cultural Identity category for the University of Pittsburgh's "Art of Diversity" Showcase
2018 Showtime Network's "The Affair" - Season 4
Langston Hughes (2017) was featured in various scenes of Season 4 of Showtime Network's The Affair.
2018 Buzzfeed Article Feature
Killmonger - Black Panther (2018) was featured in a Buzzfeed article highlighting artwork inspired by Marvel's film, Black Panther (2018)
2017 Peace Project Fusion Award Winner
Baldwin (2017) was a winner for an international call for artists, and part of a traveling exhibit to amplify global humanitarian work for peace.
2023 Pennsylvania Governor's Residence
"Emerge" (2020) was selected by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to be exhibited in the Governor's Residence.
2022 Pittsburgh Steelers Gameday Poster
For the December 11th 2022 Steelers v Ravens game, Morgan was selected to design a Gameday poster to convey the rivalry, and charity associated with the game.
2022 Pittsburgh Pirates Charities
Pittsburgh Pirates Charities held an art auction of originally designed homebase plates. Proceeds of the plate went to pillars of the Charities mission areas.
2021 There is Black Art in the Future Window Exhibit
Protect Our Future (2021) is featured on the windows of the Pitt Building, in Downtown Pittsburgh (211-213 Smithfield Street)
2020 Art of Diversity Showcase
Emerge (2020) was selected as an honorable mention in the Cultural Identity category for the University of Pittsburgh's "Art of Diversity" Showcase
2018 Showtime Network's "The Affair" - Season 4
Langston Hughes (2017) was featured in various scenes of Season 4 of Showtime Network's The Affair.
2018 Buzzfeed Article Feature
Killmonger - Black Panther (2018) was featured in a Buzzfeed article highlighting artwork inspired by Marvel's film, Black Panther (2018)
2017 Peace Project Fusion Award Winner
Baldwin (2017) was a winner for an international call for artists, and part of a traveling exhibit to amplify global humanitarian work for peace.
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